Destination guides > Australia > Queensland > Whitsunday Coast > Bowen
Bowen
Bowen is a small seaside town that is popular with travellers on a working holiday due to the fruit-picking work available in the area between March and August. There is not a lot else to see in Bowen besides the beaches, which are good for snorkelling and swimming. The best ones are a short drive north at Horseshoe and Rose Bays. King’s Beach is a great spot for kite surfing and windsurfing.
Mullers Lagoon in the centre of town is the home of botanic gardens, hundreds of species of migrating birds, and interesting murals depicting various historical scenes. The surrounding area is renowned for its mangoes, drawing many backpackers to work on the orchards. If you are just driving through town, it is a good idea to stop at one of the fruit stalls or markets and sample some of the fresh produce.
The Baz Luhrmann film, Australia, starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, was filmed in Bowen to portray Darwin in the 1940s. This was the most excitement Bowen has had in years.
Practical information
Bowen Visitor Information Centre
Bruce Highway, Mount Gordon
Tel (07) 4786 4222
Website www.bowentourism.com.au
Open 8.30am-5pm daily
Coming & going
Greyhound (tel 1300 473 946) and Premier Motor Service buses stop at Bowen Travel at 40 William Street in the town centre. Bowen is also on the main Brisbane-Cairns train line with the station a couple of km south of the town centre.
Hostel accommodation
Barnacles Backpackers
18 Gordon Street, Bowen
Tel (07) 4786 4400
Bowen Backpackers
Corner Dalrymple & Herbert Streets, Bowen
Tel (07) 4786 3433
Grandview Hotel
5 Herbert Street, Bowen QLD 4805
Tel (07) 4786 4022
Harbourside Homestay
8 Herbert Street, Bowen
Tel (07) 4786 6670
North Australian Hotel
Corner Herbert & Williams Streets, Bowen QLD 4805
Tel (07) 4786 1244
Reefers by the Beach
Corner Soldiers & Horseshoe Bay Roads, Queens Beach, Bowen
Tel (07) 4786 4199
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